Two Buttes Reservoir rises and falls with the rain

South of Lamar, Two Buttes Reservoir sits inside a State Wildlife Area that reaches into both Prowers and Baca counties. It is a known fishing and wildlife spot, but it comes with an important catch: its water level can swing a lot from one year to the next.

The reason is simple. Unlike reservoirs fed by steady mountain rivers, Two Buttes depends mostly on heavy rain to fill. In dry stretches the water can drop very low, and fishing can suffer along with it. After a wet year, the picture can look very different.

For anyone planning a trip, the takeaway is to check before you go rather than assume. A spot that was great for fishing one season may be low and quiet the next. The rules also differ by spot within the wildlife area: on the ponds below the dam, only hand-launched craft powered by hand or electric motor are allowed, while the main reservoir allows vessel use and water contact.

None of this makes the place less worth visiting. It just means Two Buttes rewards a quick check on current conditions, and a flexible plan, more than most.

For current water levels, fishing status, and access rules, check with Colorado Parks and Wildlife or its Lamar office.